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Searching through their bodies, you find two potions, two composite longbows , two battleaxes and 40 arrows.
Within a minute of the battle ending, a band of Medda’s Twinhorn warriors arrive and express their dismay at their comrades’ apparent betrayal. Nonetheless, they mourn over the death of one, and carefully carrying the still breathing one to safety, vowing to do what they can to restore. Before departure, the leader hands you a potion of cure moderate wounds to thank you for at least keeping one alive.
Having bypassed the outer patrols, the party reaches the standing stones where Ivvora fought Eshimka so long ago. A dark tear ripples at the center of the snow-covered monument, and the pale moon struggles to pierce the supernatural gloom. Twinhorn mystics are only a short distance behind the Pathfinders , preparing their reagents and conserving their power to close the rift
Groups of undead have emerged from the rift to secure a beachhead for Eshimka’s invasion. If the Twinhorn mystics are to seal the portal, they need to be able to approach the area safely. That means somebody has to fight off the undead here: you. In particular, two hideously malformed, hairless, pustule-covered corpses moves aggressively at you and snarls more like an undead hound than an undead man.
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Vindex finds it difficult to ascertain whether it is bipedal or a quadruped from the way it carries itself.
Drelluandast also knows that festrogs, when they bite, will consume the flesh of their victims, gaining health in the process. Also, should they hit with their bite on a charge, they can knock their target prone as well.
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Babine, Drelluandast and Eru'Tept know that they have no special weaknesses. They attack with both bite and claws. Although bipedal, they can run very fast on all fours.
Seldiir and Babine snaps off two arrows quickly, before the undeads can react. Seldiir's shot slams into a tree trunk, but Babine's shot, despite his allies and trees in the way, despite the bad lighting, punches right through the skull of the closer one, destroying it in one shot. Meanwhile, the rest of the Pathfinders maneuvre to close the distance warily.
Quite unexpectedly, the remaining festrog doesn't charge. Instead it moves closer to the darkly glowing portal. Even more unexpectedly, contrary to everything you know of the abilites of festrogs, it raises a clawed hand, sending a black ray straight towards Vindex. It seemed unfamiliar with this attack though, missing what should have been a relatively easy shot. The ray strikes the branch above Vindex, which shrivels as if its life was drained.
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Seldiir attempts a shot but the darkness confounds him. The other Pathfinders move closer with varying amounts of caution. As you get closer, you notice the entire area within the stone circle is bathed in an unholy darkness emanating from the portal.
The remaining undead again sends another bolt of darkness, this time at Eru'Tept, as it continues to draw back.
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Waiting for Drelluandast to light his second arrow, Babine releases another arrow that punches straight into the chest of the undead. Eru'Tept rushes into the stone circle going after the badly weakened creature. As he steps in, however, he feels his life being drained from him. Ignoring it for now, he brings his whip down on the creature, slashing it into ribbons, destroying it completely!
Once you have defeated the undead, the Twinhorn mystics move in and begin setting up the ritual to close the rift.
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Seeing the Pathfinders resting, one of the Twinhorn scouts approaches with news, the scout who had been traveling with you from the Fangwood earlier. He jogs up and skids to a stop. "Be careful, Pathfinders. You are near the territory of one of the more fearsome creatures for miles around: a powerful drake. Several other scouts believed the beast emerged from the rift, but I’ve had a closer look, and I recognize the drake as a type common in the Hold of Belkzen, to the southwest. I’m not sure that it’s truly our enemy, though I can see that it’s angry and looking for a fight. It’s likely not safe to leave alone, otherwise it might attack us when we should be focused on Eshimka." He rubs at his arm, which is raw as if burned. "I tried talking to it but might have given the wrong impression. Whether you defeat it with speech or spears, we can’t afford to ignore it."
The scout provides directions to the low tor where the drake lives. "I have to continue with my scouting circuit and deliver his report to Medda, so I can't accompany you. You should know though that the drake is extraordinarily fast, can fly, and has the ability to spit caustic globules that explode on contact, spraying everyone nearby. From what I've heard from elders, such drakes aren’t especially smart yet have a devious cunning."
You set off and reach the drake’s lair after 10 minutes of travel. The steep hill provides a commanding view of the surrounding area. The sides of the hill rise at a sheer incline, and the sandy soil provides few solid footholds. The large rocks rise about 5 feet above the surrounding terrain, providing some cover.
When you reach the foot of the hill, the black drake comes into view at the top. He stares down as you and roars out, first in Draconic, then seeing some confused faces, again in passable Common.
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Babine walks close to the Drake.
"Oh Great Drake! May we spare a moment of your time? We have présents to give to you if you accept to hear us. (Give His acid)
Soon, a army of undead. will sweep the world of the living. A mighty creature like you may not be in danger but the peace of your home will over forever.
In my honor, i Will compose a song to your glory. For you, Who défy stereotypes and show how reality is more Powerful than some dusty old tales.
Do not aim us for you wrath, blâme Eshimka, the leader of the undead for this. We wouldn't disturb you if she didn't exist. "
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Eru'Tept is humbled by the skill and resources of his companions.
"I too am injured and have no means of healing myself. I am sorry I am not better prepared."
Now back to the action at hand.
Giving the drake all necessary deference.
"The Paladin is correct, even a creature as mighty and powerful as yourself should be concerned about the undead horde."
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"Oh Great Drake! May we spare a moment of your time? We have présents to give to you if you accept to hear us."
"Soon, a army of undead. will sweep the world of the living. A mighty creature like you may not be in danger but the peace of your home will over forever."
The drake growls deep within itself, its fury at your team slightly diminished. "Of course nothing can harm me, you tincan. But indeed, they might scare away my favourite prey..."
"In my honor, i Will compose a song to your glory. For you, Who défy stereotypes and show how reality is more Powerful than some dusty old tales."
As Babine starts to play, the drake calms down further. It does not respond but simply nods in appreciation of the music.
"Do not aim us for you wrath, blâme Eshimka, the leader of the undead for this. We wouldn't disturb you if she didn't exist."
The drake suddenly rears up and roars in anger. "Are you implying that I should fear this Eshimka? Youu invite my claws and teeth!" It splays its wings threateningly.
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Vinny stares at the drake, impressed and a bit frightened by its display of aggression. She digs around in her bag and pulls out a flask of acid to match Babine's gift.
"We would like to offer you these flasks of acid, mighty drake. They are finely crafted and powerful, and should please a creature such as yourself."
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”Oh my goodness,” Drelluandast gasps in Draconic, ”you’re the most amazing dragon I’ve ever seen! Please! I simply must capture your magnificent visage!” Quickly whipping out a board, ink, parchment, and a set of fine calligraphy brushes, the gnome fusses and fawns over the drake. ”How to capture that magnificent essence of the night you’ve so masterfully made your own! And such power in that fearsome maw of yours! Why, the darkness itself must flee before you!”
Finishing his work, he pulls it from the board and gently waves it as he approaches the drake. ”Please, accept this humble gift,” he says with a bow. ”I would do more, but these terrible undead threaten us. Though if one so mighty as you were to lend us your aid, I am sure they would flee before you as the warriors of the tribes sang your praises.”
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The combined Pathfinder and Twinhorn forces shatter undead bones and topple the walking dead, even while sustaining wounds of their own. However, their momentum seems unstoppable. The holy approval of the empyreal lord Vildeis grows stronger, as if recognizing the Pathfinders’ righteousness by causing their weapons, armor, and even blood to shimmer with angelic power.
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The drake looks skeptically at first at the offered gift, perhaps having no hands to actually use the brushes. But as Drelluandast extol the value of the set, together with much flattery. The drake greedily inspects the bribe again with its sharp eyes before swooping down to carry them away to its lair.
It returns shortly and study the Pathfinders before rearing up, roaring furiously. It flaps it wings with tremendous power, buoyed by your praises. "Eshimka shall pay for her treachery! I will come join the battle soon!"[ it declares as it takes off.
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An anguished draconic roar echoes across the landscape. Within minutes, reports begin circulating that some of the Society’s newest agents single-handedly defeated a powerful drake, ensuring that will be no threat during the final assault. Competing rumors suggest these agents actually convinced the drake to fight by their side! Whatever the case, it is a great boon in the fights to come.
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The combined Pathfinder and Twinhorn forces have beaten back the worst of Eshimka’s vanguard, and their spellcasters are hard at work repairing the damage around the planar rift. It seems there is at last a lull when a pair of blade-like arms stab through the rift and tear it wider. The wound releases a wave of negative energy that crashes into the mystics’ wards, though the shock causes the trees for hundreds of feet around to wither, their limbs snapping off and turning to ash before hitting the ground. Through the widened rift steps a towering giant with sinister horns, shaking the ground with every step as her army follows her: vampires, towering suits of armor, hungry corpses, and even a powerful dragon! Medda’s shout carries over the din. “Eshimka is here! Strike now!”
The giant laughs thunderously as it regards the mortals around it and tears of pieces of her own flesh that turn into nightmarish beasts.
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While a team of (much more) experienced Pathfinders gather and charge Eshimka herself, the rest break off into their respective teams to tackle the foot soldiers led by her. Facing you off from within the stone circle is a feral, black-furred creature, combining the features of a wolf and those of a horse, with a fanged muzzle and glowing red eyes. Flanked on either sides are slimy, shifting masses with the vague shapes of humanoids, but made out of what appears to be some form of sticky rope or cloth. Their bodies lurches jerkily, struggling to maintain their horrid form.